Dry conditions lead to burning ban in Monroe County

The Monroe County Board of Commissioners has declared a burn ban as of Thursday. The ban will be in effect until Sept. 29.

Monroe County is at risk for widespread fire hazards due to ongoing drought conditions in the area, according to a press release sent by Patrick Stoffers, president of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners.  

The following activities are prohibited in Monroe County until Wednesday:

Campfires and other recreational fires are banned unless they are enclosed in a fire ring with dimensions of 23 inches in diameter by 10 inches in height.

Opening burning of any kind using conventional fuel such as wood or other combustible matter is banned with the exception of grills fueled by charcoal briquettes or propane.

The burning of debris, such as timber or vegetation,  including debris from construction activities, is banned as well.

Burning is allowed in barrels with a one-quarter inch mesh top from dawn until dusk only.

Charcoal from permitted grills should not be removed from the grills until the charcoal has been thoroughly
extinguished.

The commission recommends residents limit their personal use of fireworks to those that do not leave the ground and to refrain from using aerial fireworks.

The National Weather Service declared a red flag warning for Monroe County on Thursday.

A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly, according to a National Weather Service report.

The report stated there is an increased wildfire risk throughout the day until 8 p.m. due to a combination of low humidity, strong gusty winds and dry vegetation.  

— Brooke Lillard